Yellow Line (Chicago Transit Authority)
Encyclopedia
The Yellow Line, formerly known as the Skokie Swift, is part of the Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago Transit Authority, also known as CTA, is the operator of mass transit within the City of Chicago, Illinois and some of its surrounding suburbs....

's Chicago 'L'
Chicago 'L'
The L is the rapid transit system serving the city of Chicago and some of its surrounding suburbs. It is operated by the Chicago Transit Authority...

 heavy rail rapid transit
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...

 system in Chicago, Illinois. The 5.1 miles (8.2 km), non-stop shuttle route runs from the Howard Street Terminal on the northern city limits of Chicago, through the southern part of suburban Evanston
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...

, to the Dempster Street Terminal in Skokie, Illinois
Skokie, Illinois
Skokie is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Its name comes from a Native American word for "fire". A Chicago suburb, for many years Skokie promoted itself as "The World's Largest Village". Its population, per the 2000 census, was 63,348...

.

At Howard Street, Yellow Line passengers can transfer to the Purple
Purple Line (Chicago Transit Authority)
The Purple Line of the Chicago Transit Authority is a branch line on the northernmost section of the Chicago 'L' rapid transit network. Normally, it extends south from the Wilmette terminal at Linden Avenue, passing through Evanston to Howard Street, on Chicago's northern city limits...

 or Red Lines
Red Line (Chicago Transit Authority)
The northern terminus of the Red Line is Howard Street in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago , on the City Limits farthest north. The Red Line extends southeasterly on an elevated embankment structure about a half-mile west of the lakefront to Touhy Avenue then turns south along Glenwood...

 of the CTA. The Yellow Line is the only CTA line that does not go to Chicago's Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...

. It is also unique in that it runs in a below-grade trench for part of its length, although it has no subway
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...

 component and does not run in an expressway median and it includes grade segments and crossings at the northern portion of the line. It was built using the tracks of the former Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad
Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad
The Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, often called the North Shore Line, was an interurban railroad line that operated between Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, until its abandonment in 1963.- Early history :...

's high-speed Skokie Valley Line.

Extending the line to Old Orchard Mall
Westfield Old Orchard
Westfield Old Orchard, formerly Old Orchard Shopping Center, is an open-air upscale shopping center in Skokie, Illinois. It is the third largest mall by total square footage in Illinois. Its anchor stores are Bloomingdale's, Macy's , Lord & Taylor, L.L. Bean and Nordstrom...

 in Skokie has been discussed as well. At one time the line had several intermediate stops in Evanston and Skokie—including one at Oakton—but these stations have long been out of use and have been dismantled.

Travel time along the Skokie Swift-Yellow Line is about eight minutes. Trains operate using only Budd
Budd Company
The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century....

-built 2600-Series rail cars in two-car train consists with 10 to 12 minute headways all day. Service is provided Daily, Monday-Friday between 5am and 10:30pm, Saturday-Sunday 6am and 11pm with an average weekday ridership of 4,980 as of October 2009. Until late 2009, the Yellow Line was operated with Morrison-Knudsen-built 3200-Series cars that were specially equipped with roof boards that held pantographs
Pantograph (rail)
A pantograph for rail lines is a hinged electric-rod device that collects electric current from overhead lines for electric trains or trams. The pantograph typically connects to a one-wire line, with the track acting as the ground wire...

 until late 2004 (the roof boards remain on cars 3441-3456 to this day even after they were all officially reassigned to the Brown Line
Brown Line (Chicago Transit Authority)
The Brown Line starts out in northwest Chicago, at the Kimball and Lawrence Avenue terminal in Albany Park, where there is a storage yard and servicing shop for the trains to the east of the passenger station...

).

Route

The Yellow Line begins at the Skokie terminal located at 5005 Dempster St. in Skokie
Skokie, Illinois
Skokie is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Its name comes from a Native American word for "fire". A Chicago suburb, for many years Skokie promoted itself as "The World's Largest Village". Its population, per the 2000 census, was 63,348...

. A stub track extends north of the station to allow trains to switch ends. The line runs south from Skokie at street level. After crossing Oakton Street, the Yellow Line turns east and crosses over Skokie Boulevard (U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 in Illinois
In the U.S. state of Illinois, U.S. Route 41 runs north from the Indiana border beneath the Chicago Skyway on Indianapolis Boulevard to the Wisconsin border north of the northern terminus of the Tri-State Tollway with Interstate 94. It is the only north–south U.S...

). After the East Prairie Road grade crossing, the tracks rise to become an elevated route. At this point, the route passes the Skokie Shops CTA maintenance facility and crosses over the North Shore Channel
North Shore Channel
The North Shore Channel is a drainage canal built between 1907 and 1910 to flush the sewage-filled North Branch of the Chicago River down the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal...

. After passing over Dodge Avenue, the tracks descend into a trench. The line remains in the trench for about 1 miles (1.6 km), then passes under the Metra
Metra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...

 Union Pacific/North Line
Union Pacific/North Line
The Union Pacific/North is a commuter rail line in the Chicago metropolitan area that runs between Chicago and Waukegan, Illinois, with some trains continuing to Kenosha, Wisconsin. It is part of the Metra system, but it is operated by the Union Pacific Railroad...

 and Purple Line
Purple Line (Chicago Transit Authority)
The Purple Line of the Chicago Transit Authority is a branch line on the northernmost section of the Chicago 'L' rapid transit network. Normally, it extends south from the Wilmette terminal at Linden Avenue, passing through Evanston to Howard Street, on Chicago's northern city limits...

 tracks to enter Howard Yard. The line then rises to serve the elevated Howard station. A stub extends south of the station to allow Yellow and Purple Line trains to switch ends.

History

The Yellow Line originally started as the Niles Center Branch of the old Chicago Rapid Transit Company
Chicago Rapid Transit Company
The Chicago Rapid Transit Company was a privately owned firm providing rapid transit rail service in Chicago, Illinois and several adjacent communities between the years 1924 and 1947...

 (CRT). The rapid transit service began as part of the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad's high-speed Skokie Valley interurban line on a five-mile (8 km) section between Howard Terminal and Dempster Street, Niles Center. It was placed in operation on March 28, 1925.

The route included several intermediate stops through Evanston and Skokie (then called Niles Center) at Ridge, Asbury, Dodge, Crawford/ East Prairie, Kostner, Oakton and Main. On March 27, 1948, the Chicago Transit Authority (who had just bought out the Chicago Rapid Transit Company in 1947) discontinued service over the Niles Center Branch and replaced it with the #97 Skokie bus service. The stations were closed and remained dormant for the next 15 years.

The CRT had always owned the trackage between Howard Street and the Skokie heavy repair and inspection shops and thus their successors, the CTA, would inherit it as well.

On January 21, 1963, the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad ceased all of its operations, and the remaining 2.4 miles (3.9 km) section of trackage between the Skokie Shops and Dempster Street was purchased by the CTA. The intermediate stations were not reopened. Some of the vacant station houses were used by other businesses, including a convenience store and an electrical supplier, before finally being razed in the 1980s.

The Skokie Swift

The Skokie Swift high-speed (5 miles in 6-1/2 minutes) service, between Howard Street in Chicago and Dempster Street, Skokie, was inaugurated on April 20, 1964, as a federally-aided mass transportation demonstration project. Participation in the net project costs was divided between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, CTA and the Village of Skokie.

The success of this project had attracted nationwide attention. On its first day of service, Skokie Swift carried nearly 4,000 passengers in a 16-hour period compared to approximately 1,600 passengers carried by the North Shore Railroad from the Dempster Terminal in a 12-hour period before the railroad terminated. Ridership continued to increase and by the end of the first year, nearly 6,000 passengers were riding the new line each weekday.

Because of the weekday success, Saturday service was inaugurated, with more than 2,000 riders. At the end of the two-year experimental period, 3,500,000 persons had used the new service, and CTA authorized operation of the Skokie Swift as a permanent part of its rapid transit system.

The success of the Skokie Swift route demonstrated that many motorists will forsake their cars when high-speed mass transit is provided, and to a minor extent, gave birth to the first use of light rail before the term was ever coined.
One of the distinctive features of the five mile (8 km) line was that approximately half was equipped with third rail while the other half was equipped with catenary left over from the Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad. Trains switched non-stop from third rail to overhead and vice-versa using distinctive pan trolleys designed by Skokie Swift Project Manager George Krambles.

On February 9, 1992, Saturday service was discontinued during a service reduction by CTA. The "Skokie Swift" name was changed to the "Yellow Line" in 1993, when all Chicago 'L' lines were renamed for colors. The Dempster Street Terminal was completely remodeled in 1994, with a new station house and train platforms. In 2003, the old brick station building (designed by architect Arthur U. Gerber
Arthur U. Gerber
Arthur Uranus Gerber was a commercial architect who resided in Evanston, Illinois and whose designs included a number of transit stations in the greater Chicago, Illinois area, at least five of which have since been placed onto the National Register of Historic Places.-Styles:Gerber was known for...

) was moved 150 feet (45.7 m) to the east, then was restored and converted into commercial property.

The Skokie Swift was the only Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago Transit Authority, also known as CTA, is the operator of mass transit within the City of Chicago, Illinois and some of its surrounding suburbs....

 rapid transit line to use overhead catenary for electrification. It was also the last Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago Transit Authority, also known as CTA, is the operator of mass transit within the City of Chicago, Illinois and some of its surrounding suburbs....

 rapid transit line to use overhead, as portions of the Evanston and Lake Street lines used conventional trolley overhead until 1973 and 1962, respectively. Third rail electrification was installed in 2004 to allow compatibility with other rapid transit lines, increase reliability, and reduce maintenance costs.

In 2008, Saturday service was restored and brand new Sunday service was initiated.

Future expansion to Old Orchard

In the past several years, The Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago Transit Authority, also known as CTA, is the operator of mass transit within the City of Chicago, Illinois and some of its surrounding suburbs....

 has been reviewing plans to extend the Yellow Line northward from the current end-of-line terminal at Dempster Street, Skokie to a new end-of-line terminal at Old Orchard Mall
Westfield Old Orchard
Westfield Old Orchard, formerly Old Orchard Shopping Center, is an open-air upscale shopping center in Skokie, Illinois. It is the third largest mall by total square footage in Illinois. Its anchor stores are Bloomingdale's, Macy's , Lord & Taylor, L.L. Bean and Nordstrom...

, a distance of about 1.5 miles (2.4 km).

After August 2008, two corridors remained for further study, the alignment along the Union Pacific Railroad (bus and heavy rail) as well as a combined track along Gross Point Road and Skokie Blvd (bus only). As of April 30, 2009, the two corridors have been narrowed down to one option - an elevated single track
Single track (rail)
A single track railway is where trains in both directions share the same track. Single track is normally used on lesser used rail lines, often branch lines, where the traffic density is not high enough to justify the cost of building double tracks....

 rail corridor that will follow the Union Pacific Railroad right of way. Under the most recent version of the plan, the Skokie station will be elevated.

Addition of downtown Skokie station

A groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction of a new intermediate stop on the Yellow Line, Oakton/Skokie
Oakton (CTA)
Oakton-Skokie is an infill rapid transit station under construction on the Chicago Transit Authority's Yellow Line, which will serve Skokie's downtown. Previously, a station existed at this location which was in operation as part of the CTA's Niles Center Route from 1925 until 1948, and later...

, took place on June 21, 2010. The station is located in downtown Skokie and will be the first new CTA station built on any rapid transit line since 2001. The station is scheduled for completion in January 2012.

Further Construction

It is likely that another station will open in Evanston. However, it is not yet clear where this will be. The possibilities are Dodge, Asbury and Ridge.

Station listing

Yellow Line (Skokie Swift)
Station Location Points of interest and notes
Dempster-Skokie  5005 W. Dempster Street, Skokie Skokie
Skokie, Illinois
Skokie is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Its name comes from a Native American word for "fire". A Chicago suburb, for many years Skokie promoted itself as "The World's Largest Village". Its population, per the 2000 census, was 63,348...

, Bus Transfer to Old Orchard Shopping Center
Westfield Old Orchard
Westfield Old Orchard, formerly Old Orchard Shopping Center, is an open-air upscale shopping center in Skokie, Illinois. It is the third largest mall by total square footage in Illinois. Its anchor stores are Bloomingdale's, Macy's , Lord & Taylor, L.L. Bean and Nordstrom...

 and North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Main Main Street and Skokie Boulevard, Skokie Closed March 27, 1948
Oakton-Skokie Oakton Street and Skokie Boulevard, Skokie Closed March 27, 1948; Scheduled to reopen January 2012

Skokie Park District Headquarters, Exploratorium, Downtown Skokie
Kostner
Kostner (CTA Niles Center station)
Kostner was a station on the Chicago Transit Authority's Niles Center branch, now known as the Yellow Line. The station was located at Kostner Avenue and Mulford Street in Skokie, Illinois. Kostner was situated east of Oakton and west of Crawford-East Prairie. Kostner opened on March 28, 1925, and...

Kostner Avenue and Mulford Street, Skokie Closed March 27, 1948
Crawford-East Prairie
Crawford-East Prairie (CTA station)
Crawford-East Prairie was a station on the Chicago Transit Authority's Niles Center branch, now known as the Yellow Line. The station was located at Mulford Street between Crawford Avenue and East Prairie Avenue in Skokie, Illinois. Crawford-East Prairie was situated east of Kostner and west of Dodge...

Mulford Street between Crawford Avenue
Pulaski Road (Chicago)
Pulaski Road is a major north-south thoroughfare in the city of Chicago, at 4000 W., or exactly five miles west of State Street. It is named after revolutionary war hero Casimir Pulaski...

 and East Prairie Road, Skokie
Closed March 27, 1948
Dodge
Dodge (CTA station)
Dodge was a station on the Chicago Transit Authority's Niles Center branch, now known as the Yellow Line. The station was located at Dodge Street and Mulford Street in Evanston, Illinois. Dodge was situated east of Crawford-East Prairie and west of Asbury. Dodge opened on March 28, 1925, and closed...

Dodge Street and Mulford Street, Evanston Closed March 27, 1948
Asbury
Asbury (CTA station)
Asbury was a station on the Chicago Transit Authority's Niles Center branch, now known as the Yellow Line. The station was located at Asbury Street and Mulford Street in Evanston, Illinois. Asbury was situated east of Dodge and west of Ridge. Asbury opened on March 28, 1925, and closed on March 27,...

Asbury Street and Brummel Street,Evanston Closed March 27, 1948
Ridge
Ridge (CTA station)
Ridge was a station on the Chicago Transit Authority's Niles Center branch, now known as the Yellow Line. The station was located at Ridge Avenue and Brummel Street in Evanston, Illinois. Ridge was situated east of Asbury and west of Howard. Ridge opened on March 28, 1925, and closed on March 27,...

Ridge Avenue and Brummel Street, Evanston Closed March 27, 1948
Howard  1649 W. Howard Street
Howard Street (Chicago)
Howard Street, alternately known as Sibley Avenue in Park Ridge, is a major east-west thoroughfare in the Chicago metropolitan area. At Paulina Street, it houses the Howard CTA Station, the northern terminus of the Red Line, and, between Paulina Street and Kedzie Avenue, serves as the border...

, Chicago
Transfer station for Red
Red Line (Chicago Transit Authority)
The northern terminus of the Red Line is Howard Street in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago , on the City Limits farthest north. The Red Line extends southeasterly on an elevated embankment structure about a half-mile west of the lakefront to Touhy Avenue then turns south along Glenwood...

 and Purple Lines
Purple Line (Chicago Transit Authority)
The Purple Line of the Chicago Transit Authority is a branch line on the northernmost section of the Chicago 'L' rapid transit network. Normally, it extends south from the Wilmette terminal at Linden Avenue, passing through Evanston to Howard Street, on Chicago's northern city limits...



At Howard

CTA
  • #22 Clark
  • #N22 Clark (Owl Service)
  • #97 Skokie
  • #147 Outer Drive Express
  • #151 Sheridan (Sunday Morning-Evening Only)
  • #201 Central/Ridge
  • #N201 Central/Sherman (Owl Service)
  • #205 Chicago/Golf
  • #206 Evanston Circulator

Pace
Pace (transit)
Pace is the suburban bus division of the Regional Transportation Authority in the Chicago metropolitan area. It was created in 1983 by the RTA Act, which established the formula that provides funding to CTA, Metra and Pace. In 2010, Pace had 35.077 million riders. Pace's headquarters are in...

  • #215 Crawford-Howard
  • #290 Touhy Avenue
  • #422 Linden CTA/Glenbrook/Northbrook Court (Overnight UPS Service)

At Skokie

CTA
  • #54A North Cicero/Skokie Blvd.
  • #97 Skokie

Pace
Pace (transit)
Pace is the suburban bus division of the Regional Transportation Authority in the Chicago metropolitan area. It was created in 1983 by the RTA Act, which established the formula that provides funding to CTA, Metra and Pace. In 2010, Pace had 35.077 million riders. Pace's headquarters are in...

  • #250 Dempster Street
  • #626 Skokie Valley Limited


The Skokie Swift station on Dempster has two parking lots, a South Lot is directly adjacent to the Skokie Swift station and a North Lot across Dempster street. The fee is $4 per day for the South Lot and $2 per day for the North Lot payable in the fee boxes at the station. The fee must be paid with tokens which must be purchased from the token machines located inside the station. The tokens are valued at $2 each and can be purchased with cash, credit or debit cards.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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